Hanoi > Thung Khe Pass > Mai Chau village

Breakfast at the hotel after laundry collection. Located on the highest floor, you can walk to the balcony for a city view after breakfast.

For the next few days, the guide would bring us to discover the beauty of Mai Chau and Pu Luong, home to Thai and Muong ethnic groups.

Stop at Thung Khe Pass and other viewpoints overlooking the villages. Mai Chau is one of the popular nature getaway destinations due to its green landscape.

Walk along the paddy fields surrounded by mountains. It would be perfect if the temperature could be lower. The open field and the green landscape make the walk so pleasant. As we walked into the village, souvenir stalls filled both sides of the road. The alley is empty except for us. According to the guide, the village was crowded with locals on weekends. Continued the stroll around and soon reached the house where we had lunch.

On the way, we saw a group of locals in traditional clothing. Its a wedding event. People were busy moving things around.

The lunch was serve in a traditional bamboo basket. The tables and chairs are all made from bamboo. Another appetizing flavorful meal.

Hike from the village into the dense forest, up and down the hill, walk past countless spiders, one fat worm, and finally out to another village. It was tiring but an experience we would never experience by ourselves. Without the guide, we would never step into the unknown forest trail.

As we trekked across the main street, we noticed that the villagers were all dressed up and heading in the same direction as us. It seemed like there was an event going on. The guide noticed that there was a wedding banquet right opposite the homestay. The host informed us that the newlywed was his nephew. (Is the same group of wedding we met before lunch)

We were invited to their wedding banquet. Excited! What an opportunity to experience a local wedding.

A village wedding banquet is a village event as everyone helps in the preparation. It is also a time for everyone to feast and party. The families and friends would dress up in their traditional costumes. The elderly in the family would gave the gifts to the couple on the stage. Watched the local culture dance performance while feasting. Sang and drank almost all night.

Due to the happiness noise opposite, we never really slept well. But we experience something that is once in a blue moon.

Overnight at Ban Te – Nghi Que private bungalow